Six makeup chemicals to avoid

Many consumers are under the impression that labels on cosmetics offer some kind of protection. Unfortunately this is not the case, especially in the USA where personal care ingredients don't need FDA approval, any health studies or pre-market testing. Canada is not much better; it just approved cosmetic labelling in November 16, 2006 but with a year deadline for compliance.

Approach your personal care products and cosmetics with caution. Read the label and decide whether that lovely shade of lipstick, blush or eye-shadow is worth the risk. Is having full volume hair or thick eyelashes worth compromising your health? The following list is just a few of the chemicals found in basic personal care products. You can learn more and even do a search of your particular product with Skin Deep Safe Cosmetics Database, a campaign being run by the Environmental Working Group.

Phthatale family or di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and di(2-ehtylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)

Can result in: hormone disrupter; carcinogen linked to liver and kidney cancer; irritant to hair and skin; corrosive to eyes; causes contact dermatitis; react with other chemicals to form carcinogenic nitrosamines.